Gabor Lesko, The Jazz Guitarist Vai-ing for your Attention

Jazz guitarists often give a preconception of overly studious, dour types who concentrate so much on the technical aspect of what they create that they forget one crucial aspect – making it entertaining. Not so Gabor Lesko, an Italian musician who has managed to perfectly combine the technical mastery of his instrument but also the art of channeling the melodic power of some of his guitar heroes.

‘The Finger Fusion Project’ is your introduction to Gabor Lesko, eight tracks which take you on a journey, from the ravishing string flourishes of “Hipnosis” to the widescreen sultriness of “Interstellar” to the sinking-to-your-knees solo of “New Horizon”. Introspection often gives way to intensely embellished guitar runs which evoke thoughts of Steve Vai and Joe Satriani, though this isn’t bombast for bombast’s sake – this is both though-provoking and often spine-tingling.

Pulling together an all-star band including Simon Phillips (Toto, The Who, Judas Priest, Joe Satriani, Gary Moore among others), Jimmy Haslip (Yellowjackets, Blackjack, Ronnie Wood), Mario Guarini (bass player on many Italian TV shows), Andrea Cocilovo, Eric Marienthal (Chick Corea Elektric Band) and Chad Wackerman (Frank Zappa, Steve Vai, Andy Summers), the new album already making waves on the radio, with the track “Faith & Glory” becoming Jazz Fm’s track of the week – no easy feat!